LeVack Block deadpool, building sold for $3 million

After a six-year stint on Ossington, LeVack Block closed its doors for good after celebrating with one last blow-out dance party this past Saturday. The historic three storey building has been sold to new owners, which signals the end for the bar (and club-like back space) and event venue that was housed on the top floor. Once one of Ossington's hottest Friday and Saturday night destinations, the crowds just hadn't been the same over the last couple of years.

While the address never received a "heritage conservation designation," the building dates back to the late 19th century and future development is subject to review by Heritage Preservation Services. So while it's unclear what's in store for the space, the pressure will be on to preserve the structure in its future iteration.

What would you like to see surface at 88 Ossington Avenue? A new bar? Restaurant? Boutique hotel? Add your wish-list to the comments below.

A Boutique Hotel would be good for the area. An added bonus would be if said hotel had a really great bar.

Also, instead of a moratorium on bars and restaurants, in the city, why not do that for condo building that go largely sold to foreign "investors" who then rent each unit they sell. Which in many cases means the building go unfilled. Just a thought.

"the crowds just hadn't been the same over the last couple of years". Of course not it was a trend like most over popular bars, the owners milked it for all it was worth got enough cash from scenester, hipsters and the 35+ crowd still trying to be in the know.

Go shit on yourself!! We need to think about what the area really needs in the long term. NOT that you personally would like a Subway, Swiss Chalet, Burger King, Tim Hortons ,Wendy's, Thai Express,Mr Greek, Pizza Pizza, Pizza Hut, EggSpectation, Harry's, Milos, Ali Baba's, etc etc

LeVack Block was too big for its britches.It had itsn time but is another bar that will come and go with the era. Whiskey Siagon, The Boom Boom Room,Limelight, Fluid, The Baracudda, Gas Works, The Vox. All were notable bars but had thier time and place.

actually, a boutique hotel with a bar/restaurant/event space ala the gladstone would be a great idea for here.
this is truly one of, or probably, the most beautiful buildings in the area that deserves to be heritage reno'd.

a lot better for the neighbourhood than the levack bloc which evolved into only opening on friday and saturday to milk some cash out of the 905ers - leaving the corner barren for the rest of the week.

also, i believe i remember reading somewhere that this building was bought for under 1 mil. just 6 or 7 years ago... any corroboration?

The Levack owners paid just over $1m
I for one am not sad to see the end of Levack, I and a number of his neighbours have spent enough time with him in court over noise issues. Bar life and its related problems noise, and piss & vomit on porch stoops are a reality we have to live with in this neighbourhood, but the owners of Levack ignored the problems and took no responsibility, a small effort, any effort to deal with the issues would have made the last 6 yrs a bit more bearable. Yes I am rejoicing to see them go, and if another bar goes in so be it. I pray at least they aren't another group of amateurs and hope they deliver something smart and tasty.

I don't see how it can't remain as either a bar or restaurant. It's large and already licensed with an event space on the second floor. They aren't exactly rushing to hand out liquor licenses on Ossington anymore. It's also on a corner, ergo there exists at least the theoretical opportunity for an actual patio and not just one for smokers. I'm not so sure people will be lining up to get this place rezoned, but hey, just my opinon.

While the building is not heritage 'designated', it is heritage 'listed', which affords some protections from redevelopment. In addition, the entire Ossington Strip is under an Official Plan Amendment as of last month: as a result, that site can't go above four storeys, making for very little financial incentive to redevelop it. Finally, the Ossington Strip is a Heritage Conservation District nominee: a big hands-off from the point of view of the regulators, as full HCD status will probably be in the can within 18 months.

Puke puddles and cigarette butts ankle-deep all over the sidewalk the next morning. From people who couldn't be bothered to walk ten feet to toss them in the trash bin right in front. I am *so* going to miss it.

"The Levack owners paid just over $1m" said the envious Mr. Steve. Was you Mr. Steve that was trying to sabotage the business by parking a dead mice right at the front step?

Do you hate it that while you was at home holding your nuts, someone actually saw the potential of a ruin next door and did something with it? Is that why you made it your life purpose to get the place shutdown?

I use to work there. The guy did everything he can to keep you, the neighbours happy. The miss information by some people on this site it appalling.

We never left untill the last cig-butt, or can or bottle or puke was picked up and or cleaned up. Rain, snow or minus 40. The owner made it a point that it is priority #1 and if he had to, he did it himself.... many many many times.

Oh and the idea that the "crowds just hadn't been the same over the last couple of years." is just bull$hit.

I agree with Sam - I used to go there a lot over the past 6 years. The place is busy every weekend. The crowd hasn't been the same because it's a different clientele than it was 6 years ago. But you can say that for everywhere on the strip. The Ossington playing Mainstream Hip-Hop now? Would've never happened 4 years ago but hey that's the way the cookie crumbles.

I'll miss Levack - had plenty a good time here.

And yes, the guy who bought it didn't buy the liquor licence. A friend of mine knows who bought it & Levack was selling it for a high amount. Too bad he didn't know he can't get one for 3 years. Silly, silly guy.

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